Highway-crossing-protection apparatus



Feb. 11, 1930.

H. w. WOLFF HiGHWAY CROSSING PROTECTION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 31, 1929INVENTOR:

Patented Feb.'11, 1930 I HENRY W. WOLFE, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNOB TO THE UNIONI BWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE,PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VAN IAHIGHWAY-CROSSING-PB-OTECTION APPARATUS Application filed January 31,1929. Serial 1T0. 338,441.

My invention relates to apparatus for the protection of crossings ofhighways and railways, and particularly to crossing protect on apparatusof the type involving light signals.

5 One feature of my invention is the provision of a signal comprising aplurality of electric lamps arranged in a circle, and means forsuccessively lighting such lamps to give an indication which is highlydistinctive and arrestive in character.

I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and willthen point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing oneform of crossing protection apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 isa developed view of the drum 2 forming part of the circuit controller C.shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of theviews.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character S designates a signalcomprising a plurality of main lamps L arranged in a circle, with anauxiliary'lamp X located at the centerof the circle. As here shown, eachmain lamp L is diametrically opposite another main lam L, and the twolamps of each diametrica 1y opposed pair are provided with the sameexponent. The lamps are all mounted on a background 5 in any suitablemanner, but the mechanical con-.

struction of the signal is not illustrated in the drawing for the reasonthat it forms no part of my present invention.

The lamps L in the signal S are provided with circuits which aregoverned by a circuit controller 0. This circuit controller com- 40prises a cylindrical drum2 of insulating material provided with contactsegments 3 which co-operate with fixed contact fingers 4. The drum 2 isat times rotated by an electric motor -M, which is controlled in amanner explained hereinafter. As illustrated more fully in Fig. 2, thecontact segments are progressively disposed around the surface ofthe-drum 2, so that as this drum rotates the pairs of contact fingers 4,4", 4 and 4 so are successively bridged.

The motor M and the lamps of signal S are controlled by a track relay Rconnected with the rails of a track section T and normally energized bya track battery B The relay R is provided with two back contacts 6 and7, which are normally open, but which become closed when the relay Rbecomes deenergized due to the entrance of a train into section T.

The operation of the apparatus isas follows: Assuming that track sectionT is unoccupied, relay R is energized so that contacts 6 and 7 are open,motor M is at rest, and all of the lamps of signal S is extinguished.If, now, a train enters section T, track relay R will becomede-energized, thereby closing both of its contacts 6 and 7. Theauxiliary lamp X will then be lighted by virtue of a circuit whichpasses from battery B through back-contact 6 of relay R and the lamp Xto battery 13. This lamp will therefore remain lighted as long as relayR remains de-energized. Main lamps L will also become lighted by virtueof a circuit which passes from battery 13, through re-, lay contact 6,contact fingers 4, segment 3,

--UN ITEo STATES PATENT O-FF ICEn.

and lamps L to batteryB Motor M will also become energized by virtue ofa circuit which includes a battery B and contact 7, so that the drum 2of circuit controller C will rotate in the direction indicated by thearrow in Fig. 2. At the moment that segment 3 leaves the contact fingers4, segment 3" will bridge contact fingers 4, so that lamps L will becomeextinguished and the two lamps L will become lighted, thecircuit forthese lamps being obvious from thedrawing. Upon further travel of thedrum 2, segment 3" will leave the contact fingers 4 and segment 3willsimultaneously engage contact fingers 4; lamps L will then beextinguished and lamps L will be lighted. Upon further travel of thedrum 2, segment 3 will leave contact fingers 4, and segment 3 willengage contact fingers 4; lamps L will then become extinguished andlamps L will become lighted. In similar manner, the several pairs ofdiametrically o posed lamps will be successively lighted as long asmotor 7 M continues to rotate, and so the signal will give the opticalillusion of a revolving row of three lights thereby providing anindication which is unique and highly arrestive in character.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatusembodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. Apparatus for highway crossing protection comprising, a slgnal havingelectric lamps arranged in a circle, each lamp being diametricallyopposite another lamp, and means for successively lighting the diametrically opposite pairs of lamps.

2. Apparatus for highwa crossing protection comprising a signal aving agroup of main lamps arranged in a circle, each lamp being diametricallyopposite another lamp, an auxiliary lamp located at the center of suchcircle, means for successivelylighting the diametrically op osite pairsof main lamps, and means for 'ghting said auxiliary lampwhile said firstmeans 1s in operation.-

3. Apparatus for highway crossing protection comprising a signal havingelectric lamps arranged in a circle, each lamp being diametricallyopposite another lamp, a circuit controller having a plurality ofcontacts one for each diametrically opposed air of lamps, a circuit foreach such pair 0 lamps including the associated contact of said circuitcontroller, and means for operating said circuit controller to close itscontacts serially and thereby to successively light the diametm ricallyopposite pairs of lamps.

In testlmony whereof I aflix my signature.

IHENRY W. WOLEF.

